UAE: Sultan AlNeyadi’s return to Earth delayed, new date released

UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi’s journey back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions. The update was released by NASA.

AlNeyadi was initially scheduled to return on September 3 but his departure has been pushed off due to the delay in a clearance for the SpaceX Dragon capsule.

AlNeyadi is now due to splash down off the coast of Florida on Monday, September 4. He will be accompanied by his other Crew-6 members NaASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

NASA’s update

NASA said, “The next available undocking opportunity is no earlier than 7:05 am EDT on Sunday, September 3, with a splashdown no earlier than 12:07 am on Monday, September 4, pending weather evaluations.”

However, the new date is not confirmed as NASA said that its “mission teams will meet Friday evening to determine the viability of the next Crew-6 undock target.”

It added, “The Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, remains healthy while currently docked to the space station as Crew-6 prepares for their return trip to Earth completing a nearly six-month science mission in orbit”.

Sultan AlNeyadi bids adieu

As he is set to bid adieu to his home of six months, Al Neyadi shared some parting thoughts aboard ISS, “Thank you to everyone who helped us accomplish this historic mission. The six months of scientific research aboard the ISS were incredible.”

This beautiful view will always remain etched in my mind ?
From this region, a civilisation of science and exploration emerged hundreds of years ago. Today, we are full of hope that our youth will build on this legacy to craft a great future. pic.twitter.com/wJ90sPcRox

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) September 1, 2023

He also shared a heartfelt message for his crew members, “We worked here as one family, for lofty goals, aiming to benefit and serve humanity. The time flew by, and we’re thankful to our Lord for it.”

#Crew6 is heading home soon, wrapping up a six-month scientific mission filled with @ISS_Research to keep humans healthy—in space and back on Earth.

See snapshots of @Astro_Woody and the rest of the Crew-6 astronauts doing science on the @Space_Station: https://t.co/lxxJtXhWMn pic.twitter.com/LSAyXbWFMS

— NASA (@NASA) August 30, 2023

Live stream

NASA has released the schedule of the live broadcast of the undocking and splashdown. If the flight back to Earth is on schedule for September 3, the live stream will be:

Sunday, September 3 (All times eastern and subject to change depending on operations)

• 5 am EDT – Hatch closure coverage; ending shortly after hatch closure
• 6:45 am EDT – Coverage resumes for undocking, ending after Dragon departs Approach Ellipsoid (Coverage shifts to Mission Audio commentary after approach ellipsoid exit)
• 7:05 am EDT – Undocking
• 11 pm EDT – Coverage resumes for deorbit burn and splashdown
• 11:15 pm EDT – Deorbit burn

Monday, September 4

• 12:07 am EDT – Splashdown